10 for '10: The best games of 2010

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

Have you ever witnessed a game that ended four times? Auburn's players twice spilled onto the field after they thought they had beaten Northwestern in the Outback Bowl, but penalties and a replay review led to overtime — and the Wildcats' ill-fated fumblerooski. Zeke Markshausen came up 2 yards short in a game that featured 78 Mike Kafka pass attempts. "I don't know that I've ever gone into a game with seven wins and come out with 10," Tigers coach Gene Chizik said. "I'm exhausted." Here Northwestern's Drake Dunsmore runs for a 69-yard touchdown.

Have you ever witnessed a game that ended four times? Auburn's players twice spilled onto the field after they thought they had beaten Northwestern in the Outback Bowl, but penalties and a replay review led to overtime — and the Wildcats' ill-fated fumblerooski. Zeke Markshausen came up 2 yards short in a game that featured 78 Mike Kafka pass attempts. "I don't know that I've ever gone into a game with seven wins and come out with 10," Tigers coach Gene Chizik said. "I'm exhausted." Here Northwestern's Drake Dunsmore runs for a 69-yard touchdown. (Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images)

As the world watched and North America held its breath on the last day of February, Canada and the U.S. played what many consider the greatest hockey game ever for the Olympic gold medal. After the U.S. tied the game 2-2 on Zach Parise's goal with 24.4 seconds remaining, Sidney Crosby cemented his place in hockey history and sent his home country into a frenzy when he scored 7:40 into overtime to give Canada the gold. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (left) was a standout for Canada, while his linemate Patrick Kane starred for the U.S.

As the world watched and North America held its breath on the last day of February, Canada and the U.S. played what many consider the greatest hockey game ever for the Olympic gold medal. After the U.S. tied the game 2-2 on Zach Parise's goal with 24.4 seconds remaining, Sidney Crosby cemented his place in hockey history and sent his home country into a frenzy when he scored 7:40 into overtime to give Canada the gold. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (left) was a standout for Canada, while his linemate Patrick Kane starred for the U.S. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune)

From Northwestern's ill-fated fumblerooski in the Outback Bowl to Patrick Kane's Cup clincher for the Blackhawks, these games stand above the rest. 10 for '10: Tribune reporters name their best and worst and most notable of the year. The lists are, in order: best games, worst games, best decisions, worst decisions, unsung MVPs, Heralded MVPs, best quotes, most eccentric, most powerful, most looking forward to seeing in 2011.